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Scienceacademia

College Professor

College professors teach undergraduate and postgraduate students, conduct research, publish papers and supervise theses. In India this typically requires an advanced degree (MA/MSc/MTech/LLM) and a PhD or equivalent research record for tenure-track positions.

Salary range
₹4–40 LPA
Job growth
medium
Work type
Hybrid
Paths to entry
4 routes

Actions for your grade

  • Focus on strong board exam performance and foundational concepts
  • Start basic subject-specific projects and online courses in areas of interest
  • Talk to college teachers and alumni to understand academic careers

Your complete path from Grade 10 to College Professor

Every step you need — from now to your first job.

Engineering professor (Engg.)
Science

After M.Tech or PhD, strong research publications and teaching experience are needed for assistant professor roles.

  1. Now
    Science Stream
  2. Exams
    JEE Main or JEE Advanced or BITSAT or MHT CET
  3. Degree
    B.Tech (4 yrs) → M.Tech (2 yrs) / Ph.D (3+ yrs)
  4. Colleges
    IIT Bombay · IIT Delhi · IIT Kanpur
  5. Career
    College Professor
Science researcher → professor
Science

Research experience, publications and fellowships (e.g., UGC/CSIR) strengthen academic job prospects.

  1. Now
    Science Stream
  2. Exams
    CUET UG
  3. Degree
    B.Sc (3 yrs) → M.Sc (2 yrs) → Ph.D (3-5 yrs)
  4. Colleges
    IISc Bengaluru · University of Delhi · St Xaviers College Mumbai
  5. Career
    College Professor
Arts / Social Sciences professor
Arts

For many universities, a PhD and a good publication record are essential for permanent faculty positions.

  1. Now
    Arts Stream
  2. Exams
    CUET UG
  3. Degree
    BA (3 yrs) → MA (2 yrs) → Ph.D (3-5 yrs)
  4. Colleges
    Jawaharlal Nehru University · University of Delhi · Calcutta University
  5. Career
    College Professor
Law / Legal studies professor
Arts

LLM followed by PhD and published research increase chances for law faculty roles at top law schools.

  1. Now
    Arts Stream
  2. Exams
    CLAT
  3. Degree
    BA LLB (5 yrs) or LLB (3 yrs) → LLM → Ph.D in Law
  4. Colleges
    National Law School of India University Bengaluru · National Law University Delhi · NALSAR University of Law Hyderabad
  5. Career
    College Professor

Entrance exams

ExamEligibilityDifficultyWindow
JEE Main
NTA
Class 12 PCMVery HardJan & Apr
JEE Advanced
IIT (rotating)
JEE Main top 2.5LVery HardMay
BITSAT
BITS Pilani
Class 12 PCM, 75%+HardMay-Jun
MHT CET
Maharashtra State CET Cell
Class 12 PCM (Maharashtra domicile preferred)MediumApr-May
CUET UG
NTA
Class 12 (any stream)MediumMay-Jun
CLAT
Consortium of NLUs
Class 12, 45%+HardDec

Where to Study

Institutes known to offer this career pathway in India.

IIT Bombay
IIT Bombay
Central GovtMumbai, Maharashtra
JEE Advanced + JoSAA
IIT Delhi
IIT Delhi
Central GovtNew Delhi, Delhi
JEE Advanced + JoSAA
IIT Kanpur
NIT Trichy
NIT Tiruchirappalli
Central GovtTiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
JEE Main + JoSAA
IISc Bengaluru
University of Delhi
St Xaviers College Mumbai
Christ University Bengaluru
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Calcutta University
Jamia Millia Islamia
National Law School of India University Bengaluru
National Law University Delhi
NALSAR University of Law Hyderabad
Recommendations only — verify eligibility, seat availability, and admission rules from official portals before applying.